Edinburgh trams: Overhead cables work to begin

Trams are due to return to Edinburgh next year

Work is set to begin on installing overhead and underground cables for Edinburgh's trams.

Contractors will hang power wires overhead and pull miles of cables and communication lines through underground ducts in the city centre.

When complete, it will mark the start of a testing phase to prepare the system for service next year.

Work to install overhead cables at Broughton Street and Picardy Place will run from 22:00 until 05:00 on Tuesday.

The work to install cables over Princes Street will be carried out over four nights from Tuesday, when the road will be shut between South Charlotte Street and South St David Street.

Underground cables will be installed from next Monday to Saturday 13 July, with contractors working four nights each week.

Lesley Hinds, Edinburgh City Council's transport convener, has described the planned work as the "final major piece in the construction jigsaw" for the project.

It was originally intended that the trams would run from Edinburgh Airport to Newhaven in the north, at a cost of £545m. They will now terminate in York Place in the city centre, with the project costing £776m.